Gadgets & Gizmos
  Basic Skills  for ages 7-10

This is a school year program but you may join at any time.

Students make (and keep) unique DC electrical and mechanical projects that are
fun and easy to build. They learn about soldering, tools, tool safety, making plans,
following directions and working with others. We offer new projects each year that
reinforce the class lessons and help develop and hone abilities.

The projects are opportunities to demonstrate basic principles and discover creative
problem-solving skills and techniques. This hands-on class is appealing to both
boys and girls who like to "make-it-happen".

The goal is to open eyes to the possibilities of what you are capable of doing not
someday but here and now - and to develop the needed skills.

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How Things Work:  (Applied Science)

Young would-be inventers, this class will give you experience using special methods I developed and used for years as a Research & Product Design Engineer. I used these methods to create new original designs, special projects & to modify existing products.

Understanding how things work is the essential ingredient needed to turn ideas into new and original designs. How can you create something new if you don't know how what already exist works? Most designers only modify or improve existing things, however, if you develop the necessary skills you can turn ideas into creative designs or inventions.

There will be discussions, comments and hands on projects. We'll take things apart to see how they work then repair, modify or use the parts to design something new. I want students to develop an "I can do anything" attitude - this is what I'm trying to pass on.

These principles (my method) can be applied to all areas of your life not just the technical things.
Think outside the box? There is no box, unless you build it. Come, join the fun!

Descriptions

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Technical Science:     a 2 yr class for ages 10-17

A combination of Sci-Tech 1&2 Classes.
  

Note: Its possible to qualify for Pre-Engineering college credits if you take 3 yrs of Tech Sci &
Pre-Engr studies. This will give you a major advantage over other students and the possibility of
advanced placement. I suggest 2 yrs in this class.

The purpose of this class is to develop a working knowledge of electrical & mechanical systems by building fun projects. Some of the past projects include Lie Detector, FM Transmitter, Super Snooper, Lasers, 'Gotcha' Circuit , 'Breather' night light and the 'Not-A-Bomb'. Because some students return we offer new projects each year. To really understand the material you should take the class for two years.

Beginning or advanced you must practice the skills. This is true in sports, engineering, everything. Therefore we emphasize projects that capture interest while also developing skills such as hand eye coordination, cause & effect, safety awareness, following directions correctly, imagination -'what if we ...', and trouble shooting, just to name a few. Second year and advanced students may select and build higher level projects appropriate to their abilities.

Projects will vary but repetition of basic technical skills is a key to building confidence and ultimately the ability to initiate for oneself. We have had some of out students receive college credit for what they learned in our classes.

Class & Camp Helpers are usually selected from the best students in this class. See Helper Qualifications on the website if interested. We look forward to mentoring our next A&M or MIT graduate.

Discriptions

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Class Registration:

Heights Park Center: 711 West Arapaho, Richardson; Summer Camps,
Homeschool & Afterschool classes. To register call 972-744-7850 or see Richardson's
Recreation Today catalog. Any questions? e-mail me - include your e-mail address.

SALT Homeschool Co-Op: 1437 W. Pleasant Run Rd. Meets at Faith Bible
Church, apx two miles East of Hwy 67. Visit SALT web-site Salt Coop, e-mail address
, saltcoop@sbcglobal.net, Co-Op phone no. answered on Mon & Wed during school
hours 972-890-8117. You can join my Salt classes anytime during the school year!

RHSA, Richardson Homeschool Assoc. Visit their web-site www.RHSA.org .
The Co-Op meets at Northrich Baptist Church, 1101 Custer Rd, their phone no. answered
Tues & Thurs during school hours is 972-234-8404. E-mail: coopregistrar@comcast.net

General information: Class cost vary due to the fees I'm charged.
The Co-Op classes are usually $45/mo due to small fee they charge me.
Heights Park (City of Richardson)is raising fees making my class go up $4 in Sept.
The $75 materials fee covers all projects but actual expenses are over $100/student.
Check Bulletin Board on Homepage for class information & special bulletins.
Check the new Fall schedule below for class times and Locations.

Mon & Thurs      Available to teach at other locations .... if interested in offering our
classes or camps at your location, contact Jim McMillan by E-mail or call 214-521-1444 to
set a time to meet or discuss options.

Fall Class Schedule   (Scan Down)
2011 Home School, After School & Private School classes

After 14 yrs I will no longer offer classes at Heights Park Center - However,
I am available to teach at other locations on Mon or Thurs. Anyone
interested in my program can E-mail me or call 214-521-1444 (Jim McMillan).

To attend classes at one of the Co-Op's you must join their association.

Please Note:
1) Its possible to qualify for Pre-Engineering college credits if you take 2 years of
Technical Science. This will give you a major advantage over other students and
the possibility of advanced placement.

2) SciTech 1&2 are taught at the same time but more difficult (optional)projects are
offered to those who can do the work.

Tues: RHSA Home-school Co-Op, Richardson, Texas
Meets at Northrich Church 1101 Custer Rd. Apx 3/4 mi West of Hwy 75 on Arapaho, turn Right at light on Custer, apx 4 blocks on the left - use entrance behind the church.

Classes have started but you can still join. This may be my
last year to teach so sign up now if you are interested!

12:30 - 1:25	Tech Sci 1&2
1:30 - 2:25	Gad & Gizmos
2:30 - 3:25	How Things Wk

Wed:   SALT Homeschool Co-Op, Cedar Hill
  Meets at Faith Bible Church in Cedar Hill. Hwy 67 south past I20 - take 67 South, left on Main, left on Pleasant Run Rd, Faith Bible on left apx 1 mile.

9:45 - 10:30	Gadgets & Gizmos	(ages 7-10)
11:00 - 12:00         11:00 - 12:00	Sci-Tech 1 Sci-Tech 2	(ages 9+) (ages 11+)
1:00 - 2:00	How Things Work	(ages 10-17)

Please Note:
1) Its possible to qualify for Pre-Engineering college credits if you take 2 years of
Technical Science. This will give you a major advantage over other students and
the possibility of advanced placement.

2) SciTech 1&2 are taught at the same time but more difficult (optional)projects are
offered to those who can do the work.

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1    Animusic 1&2                          Animated instruments, 2 disc set                              G
2    The Machines                           Fanastic exhibit at the MIT Robotics Museum         G
3    Night at the Museum 1&2        Comes Alive/Battle of Smithsonian                          G
4    The Black Stallion                    Shipwrecked Horse becomes champion                    G
5    Cars                                         An animated world of cars                                       G
6    Inspector Clouseau                  Bumbling Pink Panther Detective                             G
7    Wall-E                                      Adventures of Junk Yard Robot                              G
8    62 Classic Cartoons                  Superman,Casper, Popeye & more                          G
9    6 Hrs of Cartoons                     Fabulous Cartoon Funnies, 6 hours                         G

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15    Troop Beverly Hills                Very funny Girl Scout Adventures                           PG
16    National Treasure 1 & 2         Seeking the worlds greatest treasures                        PG
17    Ice Age 1, 2 & 3                     Pre-Historic/Meltdown/Dinosaurs                             PG
18    Madagascar 1 & 2                  Escape to Africa & Penguins Adventure                   PG
19    The Rocketeer                        Top secret jet pack found                                         PG
20    StarTrek/StarTrek 3               1st Contact/Search for Spock                                    PG
21    Young Indiana Jones             Treasure of the Peacocks eye                                     PG
22    Lord of the Rings 1 &2          Return/Fellowship of the King                                  PG
23    2 Fantastic-4 movies               Original & Rise of the Silver Surfer                          PG
24    Robots                                   Comedy - Robot movie                                             PG
25    Hitchhikers Guide                  Inner Galactic Space Travelers                                  PG
26    Kart Racers (unlimited)          Courage has no Speed Limit                                     PG
27    Lemans Prototype Racing      European Championship Series                                 PG
28    Bullitt (Steve McQueen)         Best car chase in movie history                                  PG 29    Short Circuit (Johnny 5)        Runaway robot think he's alive                                  PG

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35    Days of Thunder                     Racing movie with Tom Cruise                             PG-13
36    Italian Job Orig/Remake        Wild bank robbery & escape                                 PG-13
37    The One                                  Destroy the matrix to save the universe                 PG-13
38    Blackbeard                             Pirates of the Caribbean sequence                         PG-13
39    Ironman 1 & 2                        A thrill a minute Robotman                                  PG-13
40    Avatar                                    Return to Pandora, Adv civilization                      PG-13
41    I Robot                                   Adv powerfull robots try to take over                   PG-13

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